New Music Monday #25

If You Run by Rec Hall

The perfect upbeat indie pop song with a catchy chorus and infectious melody. An interesting reminiscent vocal sound of Declan McKenna, their EP Localism still has a unique sound and enticing songwriting. A bass and clap rhythm starts the song off with strong drums entering alongside the almost echoed vocals. The lyrics display a feeling of trying to get away from your problems but struggling in the end. Head nodding through the track is the right way to listen, “But you don’t mind / loose ends have got you tongue tied.”

City on a Hill by Mon RovÎa

A gentle guitar strum plays throughout the song with Mon’s gorgeous vocals singing through heartbreaking lyrics. With a calming melody and light instrumentals, the track is eloquently healing. A folk alternative track delivering the message of enduring the trials and tribulations of life. It is beautifully simple yet dynamic and overtaking with emotion, “Can you be still? / There’s a void only silence can fill.”

u come near by bby

A complex and powerful track filled with varying instrumental elements. The track has crashing drums, an insane electric guitar solo at the end, and shouting vocals. As it begins slowly with a slight guitar riff it immediately jumps into a heavy bass and vocals that charge at you. The clever writing depicts the way a specific person can make you lose control of yourself. 10/10 track for headbanging…. “I can reach you, touch you, fall and need you / But if I’m gonna talk, then please don’t look in my eye.”

Madness by Terrace Martin & 24kGoldn

With a smooth mix of electronic and R&B genres, “Madness” encapsulates a multitude of intriguing features. A breathtaking saxophone enters about halfway through and synths carry over it creating a tranquil listening experience. A heavy beat and soft vocals by Martin reflect the introspection behind the songwriting– trying to stay at peace within life's chaos, “Lookin' in the mirror like 'What happened?”

Nothing Else Feels The Same by LOONY

A classic neo-soul core filled with a fusion of additional genres. Trickling keys enter the song with singer Kira Huszar's deep soulful vocals floating along the melody. A steady beat with beautiful harmonies meld together with the rest of the track's instrumentals. As the track ends with brass instrumentals, the feeling the song gives lingers afterward, “We pay whatever the fee is cause all of the cheap shit is never enough / No baby, there’s nothing in this world that feels like us.”

Moon Girl by Ha Vay

Dreamy and angelic, “Moon Girl” is bewitching with enchanting vocals. What sounds like wind chimes at the start of the song creates this nostalgic feeling while Lila softly delivers captivating lyrics. The melody is light and flowy with an uplifting drum beat and guitar riff. The song makes you freely move throughout each spellbinding verse, “Don’t mistake me / For the wind when she / Howls, howls”

Love To Walk Away by The Vaccines

Upbeat and catchy, “Love To Walk Away” is a classic indie-rock song with strong instrumentals. The short track has a deep bass, heavy drums, and a slick guitar. With a repeating chorus, the lyrics encapsulate the feeling of going after someone who is not returning the same energy. One of those songs that you know would get a crowd jumping, “We both know where this is leading / You love to walk away.”

The Synergetic Performances from Wild Blue Yonder and Trespasser

Bands that thrive off of live shows guarantee you an incredible night, but what Wild Blue Yonder and Trespasser did at the Bowery Electric recently could turn anyone into a fan instantly.

Wild Blue Yonder is a Pittsburgh-based jam band consisting of members Dan Sawyer (guitar, bass, vocals, organ songwriter), Eli Alfieri (guitar, bass, vocals, songwriter), Mark Riggio (drums), Jason Kuehnle (keyboards), and Drew Bayura (organ, synth). Their band name means the sky’s vastness, which perfectly encapsulates what this band stands for.

Wild Blue Yonder is not a band that you can put into a box; they do not shy away from playing with different genres, sounds, instruments, and even from playing live. Wild Blue Yonder was founded in 2019 and have been playing live shows since high school, ranging from once a week to more, and it's evident in the way they perform.

Trespasser, a now New York City, Brooklyn-based band, was created while attending university in 2021 and wasn’t always known as Trespasser but rather as the Clay Rodger Band, which you guessed was Rodgers band where it leaned more towards his songwriting, but Trespasser brings in more people such as Clay Rodgers (guitar, vocals), Matt Grimaldi (guitar), Natalia Catalan (bass), Hudson Christie (piano), Jack Warnock (drums), and Noah Lilienthal (keyboard, saxophone).

You without a doubt have never heard music like Trespasser, as I hadn't, but you can hear the influences that they pull in from all different eras and genres, such as country, folk, rock, jazz, and more, from artists like Townes Van Zandt, The Grateful Dead, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and Bob Dylan.

Trespasser thrives off of their live sets, and their improved stage presence manifests this essence of comfortability on stage and performing for an audience. What makes it even more fun to see them live is that they change up their sets a lot, so you're bound to hear a new song every time.

Originally, I planned to only see Wild Blue Yonder, but after I looked at the lineup and saw Trespasser, purely out of the fact that it was a cool name, I came an hour earlier. The musical gods were guiding me in the right direction that night. I did not hear any of Trespasser’s music before the show, as I usually do, but I was taken aback by how much I ended up enjoying them. I went home to listen to everything, only to discover that my favorite song that was performed live, "Man,” is not out yet but still unreleased. The only thing worse than “Man” not being released is that they played a short set with limited songs, but granted, they were long songs that had beautifully joyful instrumentals that had people moving to the beat. On top of refreshing songs, they had this awkwardly charming stage presence that felt welcoming and showed a level of humility, as they repeatedly stated that it was their first gig. Trespasser is one of those bands that, once you see them one time, you’ll never stop showing up.

Similarly, Wild Blue Yonder expands the limits and boundaries of music, and having not known what a jam band was or having ever seen one, I learned to love and appreciate it. It's impressive how everyone in Wild Blue Yonder seamlessly makes everything sound effortless and well-rehearsed, even though most of their songs are improvised for their live sets. Once you hear a song live, you'll never hear it play that way again.

Bowery Electric was Wild Blue Yonder’s debut in New York City, but it did not feel that way. They feel and sound like a band that brings many different components to their music, and the stage that night represents that. There were eight players on stage. They brought in three players: Will Johnson (trumpet), Henry Koban-Payne (trombone), and Leo Steinreide (guitar).

Wild Blue Yonder played an exuberantly dynamic set of three songs, but that is the wonder and mysticism of jam bands. The first song was over twenty minutes long, making the last one the shortest one that rounded to less than ten minutes, never allowing a dull moment to sweep away the audience. Jam bands are, for the most part, improvisational, with everything occurring on the spot. It's this mesmerizing effect of no communication but instead this flood of feelings where they feel the energy of the rest of the band. There were moments when you felt the song was about to end, but someone picked it back up, and everyone followed along. As an audience member, it's mind-blowing to watch them conduct themselves without ever physically or visually communicating. It emphasizes how well they work together and the trust and confidence they have in each other's talent, which manifests in this synergy. Sadly their set only being fifty-five minutes, it did not feel that way as they hit the last note of their final song. I had wished there was another song left for them to play. 

Both bands are bringing this breath of fresh air to their respective music scenes with the philosophy of their bands and music. They are challenging the boundaries of genres while having fun and bringing that liveliness to their live performances.

Written by Veronica Anaya

Photography by Melissa Joy

New Music Monday #24

Heart Shaped Locket by Shallow Alcove

The essence of nostalgia and desperately holding onto memories is beautifully encapsulated in “Heart Shaped Locket”. The soft vocals deliver the painfully raw lyricism in an alluring fashion, while a delightful guitar supports it. While the message of the song is incredibly powerful, and a sentiment we have all felt, it contrasts divinely with singer, Grace Krichbaum, gentle rendering, “Never have enough time for my scarcity complex / Every moment feels gone before it leaves me”.

When The Devil Speaks… by ThxSoMch

A genre-bending track that's filled with angst, honesty, and lively emotions. It’s perfectly energetic and intense, both lyrically and musically. It has this heavy drum beat and fast-paced melody that makes the track stand out more. Truly introspective songwriting mixed with his versatile performance creates an indescribable vitality, “I know you been moving out your mind, it’s to and from / Hoping that the leaves would change our colors.”

Coffee by Delilah Montagu

Devotionally honest lyrics alongside beautiful harmonies, ‘Coffee’ is a special song with an energy one cannot explain, but rather only feel. This unconditional love expressed through the lyricism creates a warm atmosphere while listening to Montagu’s sweet vocals. Soft guitar strums and steady drum beats during the chorus make the track all the more personal, “If you want me, I would be there in a heartbeat / Call me and I’ll bring you coffee.”

prettygrunge.wav by Artemas

An intoxicating electric guitar flows throughout with a reverb that adds a special depth to the song. The melody is enticing, to say the least, as Artemas’ vocals are deeply sultry and raw. While this is a different version of “if you think i’m pretty” by Artemas, this version’s vibe is more alt-rock and has a slower rhythm, “I know that you’re shitty and you’re bad for me, but I can’t stop thinkin’ bout it.”

OPENHEARTED by anaiis

Gracefully elegant, ‘OPENHEARTED’ transcends the usual R&B track by blending a variety of instrumentals with soothing vocals. A harp opens the track with piano keys floating through the song, while the lyrics express allowing emotions to guide you through life naturally. A mellow drum beat produces a unique sound with the twinkling strings, “We can’t escape / Won’t let our love evade us.”

Walked In The Room by Channel Tres

Exceptionally confident, ‘Walked In The Room’ is THE ultimate groovy dance track for the club. With a sustained melody, a quick beat, and sparkling synths, the song is catchy and energetic. The echoing vocals at the end extend the effortlessly cool vibe,  “I don’t think about it/Show up — I get to work/Don’t doubt me, baby, I kill the chaos with a smirk.”

Send It To Oslo by Sparky Deathcap

Sparky Deathcap has re-released his EP “Tear Jerky”, containing the unique indie rock tracks that you can’t help but replay. With a fun rhythm and distinctive lyrics, the melody elicits head nods. The songwriting keeps you confused while the blend of instrumentals keeps you engaged, “Life is just a quest to get rid of spare change / A change, you’ll change your mind.”